The creepy clown posts surfaced on several different Instagram accounts over the weekend, prompting a joint statement from police and the School District of Philadelphia

A 13-year-old girl admitted she and a friend spread rumors on social media that clowns would attack local schools. Will criminal charges be filed for this so-called "prank?" NBC10 has the latest. (Published Monday, Oct. 3, 2016)

An investigation into a flood of social media posts threatening violent attacks on Philadelphia schools by clowns led police to a 13-year-old girl who says she made some of the posts as a prank, authorities said Monday.

Philadelphia police announced Monday afternoon that their investigation, along with tips from the public, helped them to identify a 13-year-old girl who they say was involved in a series of unnerving social media posts about clown attacks at schools that went viral over the weekend. Police did not identify the girl, but said she is a student at a local school.

"This juvenile indicated that this 'prank only' was committed with a friend at her school and she never had any intent to harm anyone," a release from police said.

A screen grab taken on Sunday, Oct. 2 shows one of multiple Instagram accounts that threatened clown attacks on Philadelphia schools. Now, police say a 13-year-old girl was behind some of the posts, which went viral over the weekend.
Photo credit: Instagram

Police said they're forwarding the information in the case to the District Attorney's Office for review. Criminal charges could potentially be brought if the D.A.'s office decides to prosecute.

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia on Monday sent a letter to parents regarding the threats, which also mentioned Ss. Neumann and Goretti High School in at least one post.

"All schools will operate on a normal schedule this week unless otherwise noted. Schools that were specifically named in threats have been in direct contact with law enforcement and will have police presence as needed," the letter read in part, adding that added police would be strictly a precaution.

The Archdiocese told parents they and their children should not respond to any of the posts on social media.

The unsettling and creepy clown posts surfaced on several different Instagram accounts over the weekend and named Philadelphia schools specifically, threatening violence, including shootings and kidnappings, at the schools at certain times throughout the week.

In a screen grab taken Sunday, Oct. 2, an Instagram post threatening clown attacks at Philadelphia schools is shown. Police now say they believe a 13-year-old girl was behind some of the posts, which she says were a prank. They went viral over the weekend.
Photo credit: Instagram